APL, the container arm of Singapore's Neptune orient Lines, is to launch a new intra-Asia service, the Japan Straits 1 service, to link Japanese cargo with line haul services in Hong Kong and Singapore.

The service will allow Japanese ports to target south east Asian markets of Malaysia and Indonesia through slot-sharing on MOL's CHS-3 loop which launched in March 2012 with four vessels in the 2,800-TEU range, reports Alphaliner.

 Six months later Wan Hai and Interasia Line notched the string up to two ships and upgrading its to 4,200-TEU size ships: Four other 4,250-TEUers are provided by MOL and Wan Hai.

 The JS1 service rotates through Osaka, Yokkaichi, Yokohama, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore, Port Klang (North Port), Jakarta, Port Klang (North Port), Singapore, Cai Mep, Hong Kong and back to Osaka.

(Source:seatrade asia online)